Rhythms of Recovery: Tyrone's Road to Redemption

From a young age, Tyrone Scott loved music. As a child, his parents took him to church every Sunday, and the soulful songs that he was exposed to there inspired him to become a musician. As an adult, music has remained a major part of his life. Tyrone has made his living by playing for various indie bands that perform Christian-inspired music in bars, cafes, restaurants, and churches throughout the Bay Area, and he is currently a proud member of the band Edentifications. 

 

The pandemic was difficult for Tyrone. With so many businesses closed, he struggled to secure the number of gigs needed to make a living. Tyrone could not keep up with his monthly rent, and eventually ended up homeless. 

 

While unhoused, Tyrone sought assistance from Abode Services, and the organization referred him to HomeFirst, where he received housing first at Mabury and later at Felipe, our two Bridge Housing Communities (BHCs). Tyrone was well-liked by his fellow participants. He built a community at Felipe by watching his favorite football team, the Raiders, play on the communal TV and by giving any 49ers fans a hard time. 

 

With the support of HomeFirst, Tyrone improved his self-sufficiency skills, taking advantage of every agency resource to stabilize his life. Tyrone received mental health counseling, worked closely with his case manager, and attended workshops organized by Felipe’s Community Engagement Coordinator. His persistence and dedication to creating a different path for his life ultimately led him to find permanent housing at the Agrihood Senior Community. 

 

While Tryone now lives in permanent housing, he has not forgotten about his experience with homelessness and the support that he received from HomeFirst. Recently, he returned to the BHCs to sing with his band, Edenitifications, a full-circle moment that allowed him to connect with old friends and HomeFirst staff. Tyrone embraced the opportunity to inspire current program participants by sharing his music and showing just how possible change is.